Float



Sept. 9, 1941. T. M. HICKEY FLOAT Filed Feb. 11, 1941 I SYWMIM Patented Sept. 9, i941 UNETED STATES ATENT OFFIQE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to floats, particularly adapted to buoyantly support objects upon water in a manner to maintain the object or objects from encountering a vessel or boat which is employed in conjunction with the float; and it consists in the constructions, arrangements and combinations herein described and claimed.

It is a particular object of the invention to so construct the float that movement of the float in a direction away from the vessel or boat even though the line between the vessel or boat and the float has a tendency to draw the float toward the boat.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a float having line attaching means, the latter being constructed for quick readjustment while in the water, so that the float may be manipulated from either the right or left side of a boat, which is highly important when trolling for flsh from a moving boatysince the spinners connected with the float are carried in a direction away from the line of pull.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention will be apparent from the following description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of the float and illustrating the line attaching means.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view through the float, the draft line being illustrated at right angles to the float.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the float, illustrating the draft line in position for use upon the left hand side of a boat, as viewed in Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic top plan view illustrating the float in use.

There is illustrated a float Ill of hollow cylindrical shape the end portions II of which are tapered, in opposite directions, as clearly shown in Figure 3, forming elliptical faces I2 and I3, the major axis of which is in a slight upward direction.

The float is illustrated in Figure 1 in the position it would assume when in the water, and from the rear surface of the float Ill there is secured, in any approved manner, a plate I4 of a length extending from the foremost points of the elliptical faces I2 and I3. The plate I4 extends downwardly, approximately twice the diameter of the float I 0, the lower end being recurved upwardly to define a trough I5. Intermediately of the length of the plate I4 there is formed an opening I6, of a length approximately one-third the length of the float and of a width extending from a point slightly above the lower surface of the float to a point slightly abovethe top edge of the trough I5. A portion of the material Il defining the lower edge of the opening I6 may be bent at right angles to abut the upper edge of the trough I5, if desired.

Deflector flanges I8 and I9 are fixed to the front face of the plate I4 extending from points adjacent the elliptical faces I2 and I3 inwardly toward the opening I6, where they are secured to the under side of the float by rivets 20, or otherwise. These flanges I8 and 29 are preferably trough-shaped as may be seen in Figure 2, so as to direct water toward the opening It to reduce lateral pressures upon the plate M as well as to stabilize the float when in operation.

Upon the front face of the float ill a guide rod ii is secured at the ends, extending longitudinally in spaced relation to the float upon which there is slidably mounted a ring 22 having a chain 23 which in turn is connected to a line 2 which in the present instance represents a flsh line. At a suitable point on the line 24 a snap hook or other securing means 25 is provided for connection of a spinner 26, generally indicated in Figure 4. The float I0 also has a snap hook 2'1 secured to the rear face thereof for mounting of an additional spinner 28.

A ring 29 of a size to receive he trough I5 slidably therethrough, is provided, positioned so as to traverse the trough along the opening I6. A line 3I is connectedto a link of the chain 23 and a line 30, one end of which is secured to the ring 29, as clearly shown in Figure 3. Bridle lines 32 and 33 are connected to the line 30, the other end of the lines 32 and 33 are secured to respective ends of the trough I5, preferably upon the inner face thereof, as indicated at 34.

Attention is now invited to Figure 4 of the drawing for an understanding of the operation. The boat 35 is moving in the direction indicated by the arrow, the line 24 exerting a pull to draw the float Ill in the same direction. By reason of the shape of the face I2 and the water acting upon the deflector I8, the float II] will be caused to travel in a direction away from the line of pull and consequently away from the boat. The deflector I8 directs Water through the opening I6, reducing lateral thrust against the plate I4 and efiects a stabilizing action to the float. It will be obvious that the float and associated spinners or other devices will always be kept clear of the boat. 1

Should it be desired to shift the float to the other side of the boat, it is only necessary to whip the line 24 so as to move the ring 22 along the rod 21 to the opposite end or in the direction of the elliptical face i3. Thus the face I3 is caused to advance in the direction of travel of the boat, as shown in Figure 4, but since the face 53 is inclined in a direction opposite that of the face !2, the fioat will be caused to move to the right in a direction away from the boat.

I have specifically shown and described my float in conjunction with fishing, but obviously the float may be used in many situations, such as buoyant suspension of armor about war or other ships for protection against torpedoes, as Well as the suspension of piezo electric detectors.

The float may be made from any suitable material such as metal, glass, wood, or plastic compositions.

The foregoing description is that of a preferred form of the invention, but I consider as my own all such modifications in structure as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described comprising an elongated float having oppositely disposed end faces, a flat body member on one side of the float and depending therefrom, a draft line anchored to the body member adjacent its lower edge, a guide rod on the float extending longitudinally thereof, and a second draft line connected to the first line and having sliding engagement with said guide rod.

2. In a device of the character described cornprising an elongated float having oppositely disposed slightly upwardly inclined end faces, a body member on one side -of the float and depending therefrom, said body member having an opening intermediate its length, a draft line anchored to the body member adjacent its lower edge and medially of its length, a guide rod on the float extending longitudinally thereof, and a second draft line connected to the first line and having sliding engagement with said guide rod.

3. The structure of claim 2, in which the body member includes a pair of trough-like deflectors constructed and arranged to divert water through said opening during forward movement of the float.

4. In a device of the character described, comprising a hollow cylindrical. float having elliptical oppositely disposed slightly upwardly inclined end faces, a body member on one side of the float and depending therefrom, said body member having a trough-like member at its lower edge and extending longitudinally therewith, the body having an opening medially thereof, a ring on the trough slidable along the base of the opening, a draft line secured to the ring, a pair of bridle lines connected to the draft line and having ends connected to opposite ends of the rough-like member, a guide rod on the float extending longitudinally thereof, a second draft line connected to the first draft line and having a ring slidably mounted on the guide rod, and a pair of trough-like deflectors on said body constructed and arranged to divert water through the opening during forward movement of the float.

THOMAS M. HICKEY. 

